The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1887-03-18

That's more than am" said one of
, the soldiers. This 'er rains got through
my roof l can feel it triekle down in
side Of me-
The hand-car was not propelled rapid
L. after that, but the lightning and
thunder worked harder than ever. Per
haps half mile had been gained. when
another voice, on the left this time and
not so near. bit equally hoarse and per-
emptory, shouted:
.'Halt,n
Other words which seemed to follow
were swallowed up by wide-mouthed
clap Of thunder, and so was the Ser
geants prompt response, but in IN in
slant he was among the bushes
The first we heard from him was:
Boys. its up to my waist and getting
deeper"
go on, sergeantir shouted one Of the
psymasiers. They'll be shooting at US
II they ion't get an answerir
"Hurrah for General Burnside
squawked the Paymaster's clerk, in q
vague effort TO let any supposed picket
know which side he was on, but severe
steTnness from the further end babe him:
] a-lAA up AIdAl- ADllt AlOuE-
I'm comingw shouted the Sergeant.
Friend Psymaster
Shut up Come alongr' responded
the threatening voice beyond him.
For full quarter OF an hour the Ser
geant gropd and foundered among
those bushes. Again he used strong
language; very strong, indeed, but not a
soul came TO meet him, nor did another
word reply to his repeated requests that
the picket should advise him as to what
course he should take
The party on the hand-car covered
under sheets and torrents and whole
mill ponds Of falling water, and hoped
that there might be cessation of the
lightning flashes. so that any hidden
ritiemen would be less able to shoot
straight.
Il give it up, said the voice of the
Sergeant at last. lie was only three
PAGES from the car, but he was invisible.
The boys know who we are,n said
one Of the soldiers, land we can go on;
bat its an awful mean joke TO play in
such rain as this
There's something more than that in
il, said one OF the paymasters There's
trap Of some kind. Wen never get to
Morehead City"
"We'll 60 ahead, anyhow said the
Sergeant. There's as much danger be-
hind as there is before"
I'm glad hurrahsd for Burnside"
remarked the Paymasters clerk.
On went the hand-car into the water
soaked darkness, and another mile or
mora -t-su raf1.I owo- hoForo he
summons was sonorously repeated
Quick, now, Sergeantl' said the
Senior Paymaster.
'Don't know, Major" he replied.
THAT fellows away into the swamp.
He's got under cover. / couldn't even
find him. Risk il. Boys, risk it! Run
ahead They can't hit US if they do
FIRE
''Halt.' came warningly out OF the
blaekness as the hsnd-ear dashed for
ward. and with it came thunder that
sounded like a rattle Of musketry.
They didn't work their joke this
time. Major, said the Sergeant.
There's more than that in it, said
the Nsjor. I'm glad we're past that
picket, but I'm afraid were running into
trouble. They may have surprised More
head City and the fort. -
Reckon not, Major. Run her your
level best. boys. We won't halt again i
for anybody
That was brave talk, but in less than
iWeniy minutes he exclaimed:
Hold on, boysl That picket is right /
on the track. Stop her for your liyesi''
They did so as an ominous and menac-
ing throat repeated:
.'Hnlt, Halt" and from the rear, at
lie saue moment ofher voices seemed !
41Sot 'emi Cot EN- nowl"
I'm afraid they have groaned the
Major, money and all, and were on our
way 10 Wilmington
mo use TO hurrah for Burnside this
time. squeaked the Paymaster's clerk.
The Sergeant ran ahead along the track
uatil he missed his footing in the dark
and vent OF into grimy depth of water
and black mud, just as somebody said:
who's there.n and be was trying TO
respond;
Friend, with the countersign"
His mouth has too much in it for sue
cess and once more he used strong and
very volcanic expressions as soon as his
vocal organs were at work again. Then
We heard him say:
Come along. boys. There int any
body here, and the waters six inches
deep over the track"
Il was a doleful mystery. and the
chance Of being fred into grew grisley
enough as the car was obviously urged
forward.
The ferceness Of the storm diminished,
md thus, with great gust Of wind from
ape Hatteras, 1t ceased. More wind
;ame aud swept away the clouds. The
noon came out gloriously, and at that
le = moment the Paymaster's clerk ex-
,lsimed
Quick, Sergeant They could see
o shoot nOw.'
Halt, Come along! Got EN- Got
EN-. Bully. Better mount Better
MOUNTS
That was what it sounded like, but
he Sergeant exclaimed:
Abraham Lincoln, II it doesn't make
I've times that we've been halted by those
onfederate frogstr
IN half an hour more we were all safe
D Norehead City. leaving the frogs to
lay jokes on somebody else Chicago
inter- OoeaR.